First drop: We’re giving the first review of Coopers new brew
The future looks bright for Coopers – thanks to the debut of a new beer in a bold new hue. Read our reviews here.
Food & Wine
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Coopers is thinking outside the box with its latest beer, which is being launched as an immersive art exhibition.
The very first pallet of the new brew, Coopers Australian Lager, will be unveiled at GAGPROJECTS Gallery, Kent Town, but the beer can’s colour palette is already capturing the imagination of everyone who sees it.
It is based around a bold hue that Coopers technical brewer Iain Cooper, who has returned to Adelaide after a three-and-a-half-year stint with Carlsberg in Copenhagen, describes as “eye-catching”.
“It looks modern and stands out on the shelf,” he said.
That said, even the sixth-generation Cooper isn’t exactly certain what the colour is, describing it as turquoise and teal and, when it was suggested, adding “Tiffany Blue has been mentioned a lot”.
With the can also bringing to mind the Power’s colours, Mr Cooper said the beer was perfect for drinking while watching an AFL match.
“It’s a bit hoppy, a bit tropical and fruity, but it’s not overpowering,” he said, adding the brew was being launched ahead of spring because it was particularly drinkable and refreshing during warm weather.
“But it’s good at any time when you’re relaxing at home watching the footy or catching up with mates after work, " he said.
Coopers general manager Michael Shearer said the beer was filling a gap in the market.
“Australians love their lagers, and we wanted to create a modern Australian lager that is more flavoursome and contemporary compared with the traditional lagers in the market,” he said.
“Coopers Australian Lager will be our flagship lager offering, rightfully taking its place among our permanent portfolio and featuring our iconic Coopers roundel.
“With 80 per cent of beer volume sold in Australia being lager, we see this as a significant growth opportunity for Coopers and we’re not holding back in its promotion.”
The ‘First Drop’ by Coopers exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, 19 August at GAGPROJECTS Gallery, Kent Town.
OUR VERDICT
The Advertiser journalists Nathan Davies and Anna Vlach were lucky enough to have the first taste of Coopers Australian Lager. Here’s their reviews:
Nathan says: Pours light and bright out of its Tiffany-blue can. Definitely has a “drink me” look about it. A refreshing lager. The stone-fruit flavours and hops are definitely there, but in this day of ultra-bitter craft beers they’re quite subtle. That unique Coopers malt flavour is present, as expected. Definitely a beer that would go down well ice cold after an afternoon mowing the lawn.
Anna says: The colour of the can reminds me of the turquoise used for Farmers Union Iced Coffee, which makes sense because both it and Coopers are SA icons, so why not? As someone who used to enjoy a Shandy at the Austral – another SA icon – back in the day, the suggestion of a refreshing lager was appealing. It’s fruity and not overly hoppy, making it not too heavy and easy to drink. I can imagine enjoying it on a Sunday arvo at a BBQ.
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